The effectiveness of cryotherapy in reducing excess weight and obesity

Study volunteers were grouped according to the indicated criteria in a study group (SG) with a BMI (body mass index) above 27 and a control group (CG) with a BMI within the normal range (18–25). A medical consultation was conducted for each participant prior to the study. The study included a series of 20 Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC) treatments held daily (4 weeks excluding Saturdays and Sundays). Each participant signed the attendance list before entering the keiokomora. Participants were allowed to miss one cryotherapy treatment; multiple absences resulted in exclusion from the study. Body composition measurements and blood samples were taken before the 1st, 10th and 20th WBC treatments, and 2 weeks after cessation of cryostimulation. Selected skin parameters were measured immediately before and after the 1st, 10th, and 20th WBC sessions at two locations: on the face near the zygomatic bone and on the inside of the forearm. It was assumed that the survey would be conducted on the dominant hand. Preparation for the procedure followed standard protocols. Before entering the cryochamber, volunteers were asked to remove jewelry and glasses and to dress in appropriate attire: a cap, a mask covering the nose and mouth, a bathing suit/shorts, gloves, gaiters or long socks covering the tibias and knee joints, and clogs with thick soles. Each WBC procedure included a 30 s acclimatization in the cryochamber atrium (-60 °C), followed by a 3 min treatment in the cryochamber proper (-120 °C). Volunteers walked in a single file, changing direction every 30 s. They exited the cryochamber through its atrium. Immediately after exiting, participants underwent skin characteristics measurements and, in turn, were directed to the training room, where they performed aerobic exercises. Each treatment took place under the supervision of a specialist who monitored its progress through a window built into the cryochamber. Participants were informed that they could leave the cryochamber early if they experienced discomfort. Body height was measured once using a Seca 216 growth meter (Germany, Ham-burg), with an accuracy of 5 mm. Body weight was measured with a JAWON MEDICAL IOI-353-CE0197 scale (Jawon Medical Co., Ltd., Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea) using the bioimpedance method. In addition, BMI was calculated for each subject. Skin parameters were measured according to the protocol of the Skin Physiology Laboratory (CLNB) of the AKF in Krakow (Academy of Physical Culture in Krakow, certificate number PN-EN ISO 9001:2015: PW-08606-19). Measurements were performed on healthy, undamaged skin. The Multi Probe Adapter (MPA) System (Courage-Khazaka GmBH, Cologne, Germany) was used. The set included measuring probes from the same manufacturer: (1) Corneometer CM 825 (measurement error: ± 3%); (2) Tewameter TM 300 (measurement error: water loss: ± 0.5 g/h/m2 for RH = 30%; ±1.0 g/hm2 for RH = 30%); (3) Skin-pH-Meter PH 905 (error: ± 0.1); and (4) Cutometer Dual MPA 580. Due to the storage of the pH measurement electrode in potassium chloride aqueous solution, the skin pH measurement was made last in the series of measurements so as not to disturb the measurement results of other parameters. A 1-second measurement method was used for the corneometric and pH-metric measurements and a continuous (20 s) method for the tewametric measurements. The cutometer test included a suction phase (the skin was suctioned with a vacuum for 3 s) and a 3 s relaxation phase. All measurements were taken at a given location three times, and the arithmetic mean of the results was calculated.